Printing apparatus, and printing method

Abstract

There is provided with a printing apparatus. A transfer member rotates and moves cyclically. A transfer unit transfers an image formed on the transfer member to a print medium. A liquid absorbing unit absorbs a liquid component from the image on the transfer member. A liquid absorbing member has a first surface and a second surface. A liquid removal section includes a first rotating body and a second rotating body. A liquid removal section removes a liquid contained in the liquid absorbing member from a nipped portion by the first rotating body and the second rotating body. A liquid applying section applies a liquid to a position on the first surface. The position is on an upstream side of the nipped portion with respect to a direction of rotation and movement of the liquid absorbing member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A printing apparatus comprising:
 a transfer member configured to rotate and move cyclically;   a transfer unit configured to transfer an image formed on the transfer member to a print medium; and   a liquid absorbing unit configured to absorb a liquid component from the image on the transfer member before transfer by the transfer unit,   wherein the liquid absorbing unit comprises:   a liquid absorbing member configured to have a first surface contacting the image and a second surface opposite to the first surface;   a moving unit configured to rotate and move the liquid absorbing member cyclically;   a liquid removal section configured to include a first rotating body in contact with the first surface and a second rotating body in contact with the second surface, wherein the first rotating body and the second rotating body nip the liquid absorbing member, wherein the liquid removal section removes a liquid contained in the liquid absorbing member from a nipped portion by the first rotating body and the second rotating body; and   a liquid applying section, arranged above the liquid absorbing member with respect to a gravitational direction, configured to apply a liquid to a position on the first surface, wherein the position is on an upstream side of the nipped portion with respect to a direction of rotation and movement of the liquid absorbing member.   
     
     
         2 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid applying section applies a liquid to the liquid absorbing member before removal by the removal section. 
     
     
         3 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the removal section removes a liquid from the liquid absorbing member containing the liquid applied by the liquid applying section. 
     
     
         4 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid applying section applies water, a liquid containing a water-soluble organic solvent or a surfactant, or a moisturizing liquid to the first rotating body or the second rotating body. 
     
     
         5 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first surface contacts the transfer member and absorbs the liquid component contained in the image, and the liquid applying section applies the liquid to the first surface. 
     
     
         6 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid absorbing unit further includes a reservoir configured to receive and reserve the liquid removed from the liquid absorbing member by the removal section. 
     
     
         7 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the reservoir comprises an exit path configured to drain the liquid reserved in the reservoir to the outside of the apparatus, and
 the liquid absorbing unit comprises another reservoir configured to reserve the liquid to be applied to the liquid absorbing member by the liquid applying section.   
     
     
         8 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein a length in a widthwise direction of the reservoir is larger than a length in the widthwise direction of the liquid absorbing member. 
     
     
         9 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each length in a widthwise direction of the first rotating body and the second rotating body is larger than a length in the widthwise direction of the liquid absorbing member. 
     
     
         10 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid applying section comprises a plurality of liquid discharge portions arrayed in a widthwise direction of the liquid absorbing member. 
     
     
         11 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of liquid discharge portions are arranged within a width of the liquid absorbing member. 
     
     
         12 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid absorbing member is provided an inclined area that is inclined from the upstream side with respect to the direction of rotation and movement to a portion in contact with the first rotating body, and wherein the liquid applying section applies a liquid to the inclined area. 
     
     
         13 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the liquid absorbing unit has a third rotating body in contact with the second surface and arranged above the first rotating body with respect to a gravitational direction, wherein the inclined area of the liquid absorbing member is an area between the third rotating body and the first body. 
     
     
         14 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a viscosity of a liquid contained in the liquid absorbing member after the liquid is removed by the liquid removal section is lower than a viscosity of a liquid component in the image. 
     
     
         15 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a liquid application unit configured to apply a liquid to the liquid absorbing member at a position which is between a position where the liquid component is absorbed from the image and the liquid removal section and which is upstream of the liquid removal section and the liquid applying section in a moving direction of the liquid absorbing member. 
     
     
         16 . A printing method comprising:
 transferring an image formed on the transfer member to a print medium;   absorbing a liquid by absorbing a liquid component from the image on the transfer member before transfer by the transferring,   wherein the absorbing the liquid comprises:   moving a liquid absorbing member to rotate and move cyclically;   removing a liquid contained in the liquid absorbing member from a nipped portion by a first and a second rotating body, wherein the first rotating body contacts a first surface of the liquid absorbing member and the second rotating body contacts a second surface of the liquid absorbing member, wherein the first surface contacts the image and the second surface is opposite to the first surface,   applying a liquid to a position on the first surface, wherein the position is on an upstream side of the nipped portion with respect to a direction of rotation and movement of the liquid absorbing member.